Hogwarts letters Re: Choosing sides

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 118832


Shaun wrote :
" We are not told *anything* about magical kids who don't receive a 
magical education as far as I can recall. And I think it'd be rather
dangerous to assume that such a child can 'master their magic' and
live as a Muggle. Especially as if they don't go to Hogwarts, it's
unlikely they will ever have much idea of what is going on."

Del replies :
It doesn't have to be a choice between going to Hogwarts to learn to
use magic, and not knowing what's going on. There could be a
middle-ground where magical kids are told what they are and what they
can do about it if they don't want to go to Hogwarts. A bit like a
gifted child can be told that he is gifted and what it means, and how
he can deal with it even if he doesn't want to develop or use his gift.

Shaun wrote :
"You often can suppress your gifts, whatever they are, to lead a more
'normal' life. But it's very rarely a good idea in any field of human
endeavour - most people who do it do wind up unhappy, or they find
some other outlet (hobbies etc) where they can express their gifts. I
see very little reason to think magical talent is psychologically
different from other forms - and I also think it'd be one of the
hardest areas to find a special outlet for it."

Del replies :
Sure.
But take Harry for example : he's always known there was something a
bit different about him, but he never seemed bothered by it. Granted,
he had more pressing things on his mind (the Dursleys), but still we
aren't told that he ever felt bad about the strange things that
happened around him or to him. He felt bad when he was punished for
doing them even though he didn't do them consciously, but that's about
it. In fact, when he is told that he is a wizard, he doesn't believe
it at first. He sure doesn't go "Oh ! So *that's* it !".

It doesn't seem to me like he would have been miserable living as a
Muggle, had he had better parents than the Dursleys, and especially
after being explained that he is magical and this is why some strange
things happen sometimes.

I really don't see that the Muggleborns *need* to develop their magic
in order to be happy.

Del